Art of Photography

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The Art of Photography


What separates a simple "snapshot" from a photograph that is seen as a work of "art?" What makes one photograph artistically better than another? What makes it art? A good place to start is by taking a look at the arrangement of the photograph, the composition. How are the lines, shapes, colors, textures, etc. arranged or composed in the photograph? You can elevate your photograph to an "artistic" level by first focusing on the Principles of Design.

Principles of Design

The Principles of Design govern the relationships of the elements in the photograph and organize the composition as a whole. There are no set rules for how to use the principles of design in art.

Balance is arranging the elements in the photograph so that one area does not overpower, or have too much visual weight. There are three different types of balance: Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial. Symmetrical balance is when both sides of a work of art look the same, as in a mirror image. Asymmetrical balance is when the two sides, usually left and right, are not the same, but balance is achieved nevertheless. Radial balance is when elements of the image radiate out from the center.

Contrast is a very important element to black and white photography. Most often, you want to see white, black, and the values in between. Contrasting colors can also be used, as well as contrasting textures, or any other elements that can contrast with each other.

Emphasis refers to the focal point (or points) of the photograph, the part that captures the viewer's attention. Emphasis creates interest. Without points of emphasis the image tends to be monotonous.

Movement refers to the path the viewer's eye follows through the photograph. In general, you want the viewer's eye to be lead from focal point to focal point, through the photograph and not to be lead off the photograph.

Pattern and Rhythm (also known as Repetition) is showing consistency with colors or lines. Putting a red spiral at the bottom left and top right, for example, will cause the eye to move from one spiral, to the other, and everything in between. It is indicating movement by the repetition of elements. Rhythm can make an artwork seem active.

Unity refers to a sense that everything in a piece of work belongs there, and makes a whole piece. It is achieved by the use of balance, repetition and/or design harmony.

Variety is the use of dissimilar elements, which creates interest and uniqueness. Variety like a painting or some reflective wood panels added on a plain wall may be used to reduce monotony. Helps infuse color to a house decor to attempt to increase design beauty

Conceptual Art

Conceptual Art is when the artist is not so concerned about the artistic elements with the artwork, but instead is more concerned about the concept being the work of art. The concept is so cool, that the means by which we normally judge artwork fall to the wayside and become unimportant.

Here is a great example of Conceptual Art in which Noah takes a photo of himself every day for 6 years.